More Fijians will get the opportunity to study at Asian institutions and agencies next year.

Public Service Permanent Secretary, Parmesh Chand says there’s likely to be a 25 per cent increase in the number of trainees going for pre-service and in-service courses in Asia in 2013.

There’re more than 200 trainees on long-term study programmes in China, India, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Indonesia.

Chand says the increase is attributed to Fiji’s ‘Look North Policy’ and the growing attractiveness of training in Asia.

Chand added that in the coming year, all aspiring Government-sponsored students have been advised to secure placements in universities in Asian countries.

It’s anticipated that more than 20 students will be awarded new PSC Overseas Scholarship awards, in 2013, and all these students will be studying in reputable Universities in Asia.